The Directors of the leading research institutes of the francophone world met at the Senghor University auditorium for a two day conference and Ismail Serageldin delivered an eloquent critique of the prevalent analytical methodologies used in social science research in relation to development issues. The participants were very interested by the long and thoughtful presentation and engaged in a lively Q&A after the presentation. Alexandre Marc of the World Bank, one of Ismail Serageldin’s former colleagues and protégés at the Bank, delivered an interesting talk about the innovations of the World Bank’s work on the social sciences, an area where Serageldin had contributed much over the years.